Nonoji Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Representative Director: Takabe Yumezo) sponsored the First Play Event, held on Sunday, February 21, 2021, in order to promote the development of the tennis industry.
[Project Overview] We will establish a general incorporated foundation, the Professional Tennis League Organization, to realize the first professional tennis league in Japan.
Our mission is to operate under the Tennis Fan First philosophy, and through cooperation between the league and players, we will increase the number of tennis players and tennis fans, and liven up the domestic tennis world. Furthermore, by increasing the recognition of the professional tennis league in Japan, we will increase the value of tennis itself and contribute to society through tennis.
[First Play Event Overview]
On Sunday, February 21, 2021, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM, a team tournament was held at an indoor tennis court in Tokyo, featuring five events: men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles, featuring professional male and female players.
The rules for all matches will be three-set matches with 10-point tiebreaks, with alternate serve (attack) and return (defense), and all matches will be completed in approximately two hours, eliminating the biggest obstacle to tennis: the uncertainty of when the match will end. By incorporating sound effects and other production techniques, rather than the silent, silent venues of traditional tennis tournaments, the league will actively incorporate entertainment elements to create an enjoyable and casual atmosphere that even those with no tennis experience can enjoy. Furthermore, by holding events where people can actually interact with the players, the league will proactively create opportunities for people to become fans rather than just spectators, making it a more emotionally invested professional league.
[Participants in the first play event]
◇Pro Toshihide Matsui
◇Professor Hiroyasu Ehara
◇Professional Sho Katayama
◇Professional Naoki Nakagawa
◇Professional Ayumi Morita
◇Minokoshi Mai Pro
◇Hayashi Erina Pro
[Tournament organizers]
Professional Tennis League Organization
Director Hiroyasu Ehara Other Directors
